Wednesday, May 2, 2012

You might call it the best move of the draft certainly in a humanitrian stance.

Eric LeGrand with his Rutgers teammates

Schiano was the head coach at Rugters in 2010 when LeGrand suffered an injury that left him paralyzed in a game on October 16th against Army. He suffered fractures of two veterbrae and was told he would be a quadripilegic and able to breath only through the aid of a ventilator.

"Leading up to the draft I couldn't help but think that his should've been Eric's draft class," Schiano said in a statemen released by the Bucs. "This small gesutre is the least we could do to recognize his character, spirit and perserverance. The way Eric lives his life epitomizes what we are looking for in Bucaneer Men."

LeGrand has exceeded his expecations from the original prognosis. He is breathing on his own, has been able to stand upright with the help of a metal frame and is on schedule to graduate next fall with a dgree in in labor studies.

When Schiano took the Bucs jobs he said his children asked him what would happen with Eric now that he was gone and he said he would always been in LeGrand's life.

Since the signing is symbolic and involves no money, it is not sure what role LeGrand will have with the Bucs, though Schiano said his inspiration is gigantic.

LeGrand reportedly said he found out about the move in a call with Schiano on Tuesday, after his mother, Karen, had been told Monday night.

LeGrand has the final spot on the Bucs' roster and, since his college No. 52 is available will get that with the NFL team. Tampa Bay is planning to ship a jersey, helmet and contract to LeGrand later this week.